Tune-ups Crucial to Peak Engine Performance

When was the last time you had your car tuned up? Recent studies show that nearly half of all vehicles on the road are operating with at least one tune-up part that should be replaced.

And while it was once routine to replace worn parts during regular tune-ups, engine computers have all but made the traditional tune-up obsolete. Many of today's newer vehicles don't require a tune-up until after 100,000 miles, but to ensure peak performance of your car or truck, it's still best to follow your owner's manual and perform routine maintenance at intervals the manufacturer suggests. Parts should be checked and replaced when a related part fails prematurely. For example, if a coil should fail, the wires, cap, rotor and plugs should be checked and probably replaced.

Here's a quick look at some of these various tune-up components.

• Spark Plugs
  
  In simple terms, the spark plug is an electrical conductor that converts the energy from the ignition system into a spark that jumps across the gap between two electrodes in the combustion chamber. The spark that is produced ignites the air/fuel mixture and powers the engine.
  
  When you look at what a spark plug endures you realize it's an incredibly durable part. This essential engine component is required to spark several times a second at voltages as high as 30,000 volts in temperatures ranging from freezing to as much as 3,000°F at its tip. It must also accommodate varied operating conditions from stop-and-go driving to extended highway cruising at high sustained speeds.
  
  As spark plugs age, the electrode tip naturally erodes, creating a wider gap. Just one misfiring spark plug can waste up to two gallons of gas per tank, or create up to a 25 percent loss in power on a four cylinder engine.
  
  The bottom line is it's very important to make sure your spark plugs are all working properly and that they match the manufacturer's specifications for your vehicle. You will definitely see the difference in performance and fuel efficiency.
• Spark Plug Wires
  
  Today's engines run at hotter temperatures than in the past and the extreme heat can severely affect the wires that connect the ignition system to the spark plugs.
  
  Only spark plug wires made with a pure silicone jacket can withstand these high temperatures and properly conduct the voltage from the ignition to the plugs.
• Ignition
  
  Distributor caps and rotors are subject to natural erosion and carbon build-up on the firing or contact tips, which can lead to engine misfire. In high humidity conditions, moisture build-up in the cap can also cause an engine to miss.
  
  Such a problem causes the early failure of the ignition and emissions control systems, as well as the spark plugs, wires, coil and catalytic converter.
  
  Replacing a worn distributor cap and rotor is beneficial in a number of ways, including increased fuel economy; quicker and easier starting and acceleration; a smoother running and idling engine; and longer life for these key engine parts.
• Oxygen Sensors
  
  Roughly the size of a clothes pin, oxygen sensors are another important component to maintaining your engine. An oxygen sensor is a measuring probe for determining the amount of oxygen in the exhaust. It continually monitors exhaust gases and adjusts the air/fuel ratio to guarantee the most efficient and economical mix. Located between the engine and the catalytic converter, the oxygen sensor continually determines how much fuel is needed to achieve the best air/fuel ratio.
  
  Oxygen sensors play a pivotal role in monitoring engine exhaust. They work with the ECU (vehicle's computer) to ensure that gasoline combustion is as complete as possible, improving engine performance and fuel efficiency, while also reducing harmful emissions.
  
  With stricter environmental guidelines being instituted across the country, it's more important than ever to make sure your oxygen sensor is operating properly. Typical life span for an oxygen sensor is between 30,000-50,000 miles for an "unheated" 1 or 2 wire sensor or after every 60,000-100,000 miles for a "heated" 3 or 4 wire sensor.
  
  Common symptoms of a degraded oxygen sensor include surging, hesitation, premature failure of the catalytic converter, or excessive fuel consumption.
• Air, Oil, and Fuel Filters
  
  The engine in your vehicle is made up of parts that are required to move at very high speeds at extreme temperatures. Air, oil and fuel filters help extend the life and efficiency of these parts by blocking out harmful dirt particles which can lead to premature failure.
  
  Replacing these important filters will maintain high performance and prolong the life of your engine and may even help prevent expensive repairs.
  
  Experts recommend that you check and replace, if necessary, these filters on the following schedule:
  • Oil Filter, every 3,000 miles or three months
  • Air Filter, every 30,000
  • Fuel Filter for high performance import cars, every 30,000-60,000

Conclusion:If you want to keep your vehicle in top shape, it all comes back to the fact that your car or truck will give back to you what you've put into it. That's why tune-ups and routine maintenance checks are so important. A little bit of 'preventive medicine' will surely pay off in the long run.